The Buffalo Bills excelled in 2024 using an “everybody eats” approach on offense, but the lack of a No. 1 receiver is starting to catch up with the team this year.
The Bills struggled on offense through a two-game losing streak, with the struggles of the wide receiving corps starting to build up. One insider believes the Bills can address that at the trade deadline, taking aim at a bona fide deep threat to help quarterback Josh Allen.
Bills Could Target Veteran Wide Receiver
Reporter Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News broke down the top trade targets for all 32 NFL teams, pegging Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley as the best fit for the Bills. Iyer noted that Ridely is working through an injury, but if healthy would be a strong addition to Buffalo’s offense.
“Ridley is hurt for now (hamstring) but he’s being lost in the Titans’ youth movement passing game around No. 1 overall pick rookie QB Cam Ward,” Iyer wrote. “Ridley would make more sense attached to a QB in Josh Allen who can push the ball deep well to him and also make him a red zone priority, much like he was during his young heyday with the Falcons.”
The Bills have lacked a true deep threat wide receiver since the departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Though Davis is back on the practice squad, he is still working his way back from an injury.
Iyer noted that the Bills could have some other targets if they can’t get Ridley, including Jakobi Meyers of the Las Vegas Raiders or a pair of New Orleans Saints wide receivers — Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.
Bills Expected to Make Wide Receiver Moves
Whether they target Ridley or not, the Bills are expected to do something to boost their wide receiving corps. Insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Bills were expected to be active again at the trade deadline, as they were last year.
“An interesting team to watch is Buffalo,” Jones reported. “The Bills have been up and down the last few weeks, but GM Brandon Beane has made deals in each of the past two offseasons. He sent out for Rasul Douglas in 2023 and got Amari Cooper last fall. Some believe he could go after a receiver again.”
The Bills signaled that they were all-in on a Super Bowl run last year when they landed Cooper, though the move largely fell flat. He made only modest contributions to the offense during the regular season and mostly disappeared in the playoffs, then quietly retired in the offseason after initially signing with the Raiders.
The Bills could be aggressive again this year, with their Super Bowl window still open but potentially growing shorter. They face a strong challenge from the New England Patriots, who held the top spot in the AFC East through Buffalo’s bye week. The rival Kansas City Chiefs are also getting stronger after an 0-2 start, likely giving the Bills another challenge to reaching the Super Bowl.
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